FORT SMITH, Ark. — The Artemis Project is a nonprofit dedicated to rescuing homeless animals with about 500 cats and dogs in its foster care system.
Elizabeth Johnson, co-founder of the Artemis Project, says there are hundreds more in the Fort Smith area that still need a home.
"The need is just immense. There are litters upon litters upon litters being born every day," Johnson said.
Students at the Future School of Fort Smith, with the help of their beloved art teacher, Ms. Jessi, are using their artistic skills to help get Fort Smith animals adopted through the "Pawtrait" project.
"It's kind of combining two things they love which is dogs and helping community and art," Jessica Philpot, the school's art teacher, said. "So it was kind of a cool effect that they all just decided to jump on to it. Even kids that didn't have our class asked to join."
Many students volunteering their time to create a pawtrait have already made several. But one thing keeps them coming back for more.
"It feels kind of rewarding. Because if animals don't have a home, they're gonna live on the streets," says Bonnie Shelby, a 10th grader creating her fourth pawtrait.
One 11th grader, Alex Wersham adds, "It feels really great to know that some of these dogs might get adopted just because people didn't really know about them and now they will."
When the portraits are completed, the Artemis Project displays them around the community and on social media.
And with the student’s help, change is underway.
"We did have one that already got adopted, Jasper. And the adopter was gifted the portrait of Jasper. These pawtraits are going to go to the next adopters of these five dogs, and we've got more on the way being delivered," Johnson said.
A source of pride for the student artists and their teacher, "Sometimes the light is dimmed out of my students," says Ms. Jessi. "And when they start doing something that they're passionate about, something that they're really interested in, it reignites. Seeing that pushes me to do more."
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